Zain Eye Clinic

Phacoemulsification is a surgical procedure by which a clouded lens is extracted by fragmenting it into tiny pieces with ultrasound energy and aspirated out with a suction device. 

Cataract surgery has made extraordinary and exciting advances over the past 20 years. Last year, approximately 2.7 million Americans underwent cataract surgery. Greater than 95% of those patients now enjoy improved vision. CataractState-of-the-art cataract surgery is now a safe, effective, and comfortable procedure performed almost exclusively on an outpatient basis.

Most cataract surgeries are now performed using microscopic size incisions, advanced ultrasonic equipment to fragment cataracts into tiny fragments, and foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) to maintain small incision size. Cataract surgery today is the result of extraordinary technological and surgical advancements that allows millions of people to once again enjoy crisp and clear vision. A true marvel of modern medicine, cataract surgery may restore vision to levels you may have never thought possible.

Refractive surgical procedures include any and all procedures that reduce refractive error, i.e., reduction of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. All of these procedures are designed to minimize dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses, and represent exciting and extraordinary advances in the field of ophthalmology.

The best procedure for any given individual depends on many factors, including age, type of refractive error (nearsightedness, etc.), degree of refractive error, and concern for reversibility. Certain refractive procedures have been studied and utilized extensively (e.g., LASIK and radial keratotomy) while others discussed below are still being evaluated in FDA regulated trials (e.g., phakic IOLs).

While each type of procedure has its own risks and benefits, each site visitor is cautioned to discuss the intended procedure in detail with his or her ophthalmologist prior to making any decision for surgery. An exhaustive review of the risks and benefits of each procedure will not be detailed here.

Type of the Refractive Surgery

•     Lasik
•     Limbal relaxing incisions (LRI)
•     Impantable C.L. (PHAKIC IOL)
•     Clear Lens Replacement
•     F.A.Q.

Cornea sub-specialists diagnose and treat the many varied conditions of the anterior segment (front) of the eye. The cornea trained ophthalmologist specializes in penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), commonly known as a corneal transplant, as well as a variety of excisional and grafting procedures of the front of the eye.

The Corneal Transplantation Procedure

A complete pre-operative evaluation will be required prior to surgery. The surgeon will make every attempt to confirm retinal and optic nerve function prior to surgery, so as to avoid cases in which visual improvement is unlikely.

The majority of adult patients may be operated on under local anesthesia. General anesthesia will likely be required for children, anxious, or uncooperative patients. After the anesthetic is given, the surgeon usually sews a ring to the ocular surface to support the eye. The donor cornea is prepared using a punch or corneal trephine to create the corneal "button." The corneal button will become the transplanted cornea. The diseased, or scarred, cornea is then removed using a corneal trephine, creating a "bed" for the transplant cornea. Finally, the donor cornea is gently sewn into place with ultra-fine sutures (approx. one-third the thickness of human hair, or less).

Oculoplastic procedures refer to a large variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts, and the face. These procedures include repair of droopy eyelids, repair of tear duct obstructions, orbital fracture repairs, removal of tumors in and around the eyes, and facial rejuvenation procedures including laser skin resurfacing, eye lifts, brow lifts, and even facelifts.

Oculoplastic procedures frequently have both functional and aesthetic purposes. For example, blepharoplasty, a procedure for excessive and droopy eyelid skin, may improve peripheral vision as well as facial beauty and rejuvenation. Repair of tear duct obstructions prevents tears from running out of the eyes and down the face, in some cases without even an incision. Repair of traumatic orbital fractures may prevent double vision as well as a sunken eye appearance. Droopy eyebrows are being raised through tiny incisions hidden in the hairline. Laser skin resurfacing is resolving facial wrinkles, acne scars, and the usual signs of aging and sun-damage resulting in a more natural, youthful appearance. The list goes on.

The great majority of these procedures are performed by oculoplastic surgeons. The oculoplastic surgeon, trained first as an ophthalmologist, and secondly as an oculoplastic specialist, has immense skill and training to deal with all of the complex ramifications of eyelid, orbital, tear duct, and facial plastics procedures. However, some of the above mentioned procedures are performed in an extremely competent manner by general ophthalmologists and other ophthalmology sub-specialists. Don't hesitate to discuss with your ophthalmologist his or her training and experience with any given procedure. It is our firm belief that most of the above mentioned procedures are best handled by ophthalmologists and, specifically, oculoplastic surgeons.

Blepharoplasty is a surgical eyelid procedure, which may correct drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes. Blepharoplasty is a surgical eyelid procedure, which may correct drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes.
Ptosis Repair for Droopy Eyelid

Ptosis repair is usually completed under general anesthesia in infants and young children and under local anesthesia in adults. The surgeon must make an incision in the drooping eyelid, and carefully advance and tighten the levator muscle, which elevates the upper eyelid.

Glaucoma is a disorder associated with pressure in the eye, and is characterized by damage to the optic nerve, with consequent visual loss, initially peripheral, but potentially blinding if relentlessly progressive. Unfortunately, glaucoma is usually a disease in which the patient is entirely asymptomatic (without symptoms) until late in the disease. The disorder we refer to as glaucoma, is not a single disease, but rather a myriad of diseases with one final common insult, injury to the optic nerve.

There are many risk factors for glaucoma, and these must be taken into account in the management of patients with suspected or manifest glaucoma. The strongest risk factors include elevated intraocular (eye) pressure, family history of glaucoma, advanced age, and being of African-American descent. Other risk factors include cardiovascular disease (e.g., history of heart attack or stroke), diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes), myopia (nearsightedness), high blood pressure, and migraine headache.

Pediatric/Strabismus surgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of children's eye disorders including the management of strabismus (deviated or crooked eyes), congenital cataracts and glaucoma, and a myriad of other conditions pertinent to this age group. Procedures common to this sub-specialty include surgical management of the strabismus conditions known as esotropia, exotropia, and hypertropia, amblyopia (lazy eye), and congenital cataracts and glaucoma.

Strabismus surgery
Strabismus is a general term referring to ocular misalignment due to extraocular muscle imbalance. In short, the eyes are "crooked".

Strabismus is important to recognize, primarily because, in childhood, it is often associated with the development of amblyopia, or lazy eye.

Amblyopia refers to reduced vision, uncorrectable with glasses or contact lenses, due to failure or incomplete development of the visual cortex of the brain. For more on amblyopia, refer on net websites.
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The cause of strabismus is usually unknown. However, strabismus is certainly more common in families with a history of the disorder. Several neurological conditions are more commonly associated with strabismus, including Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and brain tumors. The great majority of children who present with strabismus, however, have no other associated neurological abnormalities. A cataract, eye tumor, or other eye disorder associated with reduced vision may also present with strabismus.

Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of acquired blindness among the people under the age of 65. The great majority of this blindness can be prevented with proper examination and treatment by ophthalmologists. Ther are 4 imp. Studies guiding the treatment, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), the Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS), the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS), and the Diabetic Retinopathy Vitrectomy Study (DRVS).

Background Diabetic Retinopathy

Background diabetic retinopathy (BDR) may occur at any point in time after the onset of diabetes. In general, this is the first "stage" of diabetic retinopathy and, therefore, the least concerning.

In general, patients are not typically treated with laser photocoagulation of the retina for background retinopathy..

Clinically Significant Macular Edema

Clinically significant macular edema (CSME) is a condition of swelling of the macula related to the development of leaky capillaries and microaneurysms. Ophthalmologists use rather strict criteria to determine whether a patient should be treated with focal laser photocoagulation for this condition. These criteria were set forth by the studies mentioned above.

Patients with CSME are generally recommended to undergo focal laser photocoagulation. This entails a fluorescein angiogram to guide treatment and utilization of a laser to help "dry up" the localized swelling (macular edema). Ophthalmologists apply laser treatment to the macula of the eye, avoiding the fovea where central acuity resides, in a grid-pattern or directly to leaking microaneurysms. It is important to realize that laser treatment does not usually improve vision, but is aimed at prevention of further visual loss.
Most patients with CSME require 3 to 4 different focal laser sessions, two to four months apart, to resolve the swelling.